Slieve Bloom festival returns with an expanded lineup
Well known artist Lynn Kirkham will create a live public sculpture piece entitled Guardian of the Mountain
A VERY popular Slieve Bloom festival is making a welcome return this weekend, once again drawing large crowds to the famous Festival Field near Rosenallis.
The Rosenallis Festival of the Mountain & Vintage Rally has been going for many years and holds a very special place in the hearts and minds of locals.
This year it's returning on Sunday, 16th August, starting at midday in Glenbarrow, Rosenallis. Daniel McDonald of the Festival's organisers told the Tribune that following a recent €5,000 grant from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, organisers have moved Laois’s oldest festival forward, unveiling an "upgraded experience featuring a brand-new, state-of-the-art main stage, a diverse performance schedule, and the usual family fun.”
This year's event will feature Team RNS Robotics from Rosenallis National School, winners of the Engineering Division Judges Award at the VEX IQ Robotics World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, who will perform a live robotics demonstration.
There will be a Bollywood Dance performance and workshop open to all.
Well known artist Lynn Kirkham will create a live public sculpture piece entitled Guardian of the Mountain on-site during the festival.
There will be a full afternoon of stage acts and arena events, including:
Beats of Tullamore Dancers (a group of nurses from Portlaoise & Tullamore hospitals) will perform dance routines on stage.
Mohana Natarajan will do a classical Bharatanatyam dance showcase.
Jump Street Dancers will perform a High-energy dance show on the main stage.
The Red Embers & Guests will bring belly dancing performances to the festival attendees.
The Timahoe Male Choir will be there to entertain the crowd.
There will also be performances from folk favourites Abbeyfolk, acoustic duo The O'Neil Sisters, Ukrainian vocalist and bandura player Tetiana Herasymova, hip-hop artist Bubble Lock, and interactive drumming with Jabba Jabba Jembe.
There will be loads of hot food stalls, sweet treats, and great coffee.
Additional grounds attractions will include: Vintage displays, Tug of War, Queen of the Mountain & various competitions, Dog Show, Children's amusements, archery, obstacle course competitions, and face painting.
Admission: €10 (Cash only event | Under 12s go FREE).